Prophecy (2)

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When the prophecy that became the reason for his separation from his family was revealed to him, young Harry didn't think too much of it. What he had in his mind at that time was contempt for his family. He knew, after all, that prophecy was a self-fulfilling nonsense. When the otherworldly Harry came, however, he wondered why his family was hiding to begin with.

The prophecy, unlike the one he knew from the other universe, didn't even remotely give a clue to who the Boy-Who-Lived was. Not to mention, it didn't even specify who He-Who-Defies was. Therefore, it puzzled him why his family hid under the Fidelius. They even put Sirius in the house when they were summoned by Dumbledore, showing how cautious they were.

The precautions failed in the end, though not as miserably as the one in the other universe, courtesy of the treacherous Peter Pettigrew, who had been executed. Sirius took the Killing Curse for Charlus, and Harry managed to rebound the Killing Curse for whatever Magical reason. It was weird, but Harry had ignored it, attributing it to the quirk of this alternate universe.

He got his answer tonight. The prophecy he was familiar with still existed. That one drove the Potter into hiding. As fate had it, Severus had also overheard Albus' conversation with Sybill. Lily glared at Severus murderously at this fact. It turns out that Albus hadn't revealed it until then. Harry could finally understand why Lily was quite civil with the old bat. That would cease to exist from then on, though.

Harry could see the resentment Severus held toward the blabbering coot called Albus Dumbledore. Severus hid it well, though Harry was more surprised how Severus hadn't sweated under Lily's glare. Lesser men would have shat bricks under her glare. With that said, Severus didn't dare move an inch or even meet Lily's eyes. Understandable.

"That makes me wonder if you truly knew I was the Boy-Who-Lived," Harry remarked offhandedly.

"I honestly didn't know," Dumbledore admitted. "But the second prophecy told me it doesn't matter since there are two Boy-Who-Lived. However, I could feel the potent power coming off of you. Plus, that mark helped."

Harry absently caressed his fading scar. "Then, you decided to sacrifice Charlus and estrange me for the greater good. I have said it once, but I will say it again. For all your brilliance, you fail to understand how mere mortals think, Albus. I had quite a grudge on you for feeding that bollocks to my family. What good would it have done if I refused to help after the revelation?"

Dumbledore remained silent. Reminded of the bitter days, Lily turned her hostility to Dumbledore. Harry waved his hand, motioning for them to move on from the topic. Lily's glare withered, but her beautiful face was still marred with a frown.

"Seeing that the first prophecy had fulfilled itself… thanks to a certain someone, what are you going to do about the second one?"

"My outlook on the matter hasn't changed, still. However, I haven't completely decrypted the meaning behind the prophecy… or to whom it was meant," Dumbledore said slowly.

"Your point being?" Harry quirked an eyebrow.

"There should be merit in not entirely dismissing it."

Harry leaned on his chair. Dumbledore had reached the same conclusion. However, unlike Dumbledore, he had an inkling of who was He-Who-Defies. The only thing the Dark Lord defied was the moral of this world. He-Who-Defies should be given to someone who did more than that. The Dark Lord's aide, who by himself defied the logic of this world, should be more fitting for the title.

'Wait…'

Then, an epiphany hit him. He had been defying logic since day one. He had thwarted a Killing Curse when he was a toddler. He had gained power through Kowalski, who by any means didn't adhere to the logic of this world. All things considered, he could be He-Who-Defies. He quickly dismissed the thought, remembering his status as the Boy-Who-Lived.

"That matter aside, I think we should officially create an army strong enough to face Voldemort's goons. He and his goons were better than I remember. I am afraid Voldemort's aide can do more wondrous things to his army. The ferocious Dementors we faced in the courtroom should give you an idea of what he was capable of."

"Cease the farce, Peverell," Severus suddenly snarled, surprising everyone. "You can do something about the Dark Lord's army if you want to, can't you? You can simply command them."

Harry might not be the best buddy with Severus, but he knew he never deserved the vitriol coming from the man. He turned to Severus and quirked an eyebrow. His confusion was met with a face contorting in disgust. He blinked, genuinely not understanding what caused the man to be so hostile.

"And what gave you the idea that I am so omnipotent as to simply command them, Snivellus?" Harry bit back.

"Don't you think I don't know what you are plotting! I have seen your face under the hood. You shouldn't have relied on the shadow of your darkness to hide your vile visage. That was why you ordered them to kill me. Because I know who you are," Severus snarled.

At this point, Harry was too curious to be mad at Severus. He was annoyed, sure, but the belligerent tantrum the bat threw made him curious about what happened.

"Back off, Snape! After what you did to our family, now you want to sully Harry's name? Do you wish to die that much?" Lily barked furiously.

"Lily, I am sorry for what I did, but listen to me! Your son is not who you think he is!" Severus faced Lily for the first time, looking at her pleadingly.

"Keep my name out of your traitorous mouth! I can't believe you could fall lower," Lily hissed with vitriol.

Clap!

Harry's clap resounded throughout the room, washing everyone with his Magic. Severus trembled uncontrollably, but everyone turned to Harry. Silence descended upon the room as everyone was forcefully calmed down. Harry's lips thinned before he addressed the bat in the room.

"Before you throw accusations at me like a monkey throwing faeces in the zoo, why don't you give me your justification first, Snivellus?"

Severus looked like he had swallowed a lemon whole but spoke regardless. "Before the Dark God ordered us to retrieve the prophecy, the Dark Lord summoned us to formally introduce him."

"Dark God," Harry sneered. "I assume the aide professed himself as such?"

Severus nodded with a scrunched-up face. "With sheer coincidence, I saw the shadow covering the Dark God's face falter. A glimpse. I saw a glimpse of a familiar face, one that I could never mistake. It was your face, Peverell. That face smiled at me as if challenging me to tell everyone about it."

"Have you considered yourself being tricked into doing exactly that? I shouldn't joke about this, but that bastard could be Charlus."

Harry's chuckle turned into an apologetic look at Lily's stern gaze.

"No."

Surprisingly, the answer came instantly.

"Your Magic is alike. Not even the Dark Lord could replicate your Magic." Severus hesitated before shaking his head. "Plus, not one male Potter possesses the charm like you do."

"Why, thank you, Snivellus," Harry remarked in amusement, turning the man's face sour. "But I assure you that is not me. Lily and Bella—my family can vouch for me. While you and your band of Emo were having your get-together, I was joyously spending my time in Hawaii."

"That is true," Bella spoke for the first time. "Which makes me doubt the validity of your statement. You should drop your unjust grudge against Harry, Severus. I can apprehend you and get you kissed by a Dementor right here right now. Dumbledore won't be able to help, given your involvement in the Department of Mysteries."

"I am willing to show you my memory," Severus scowled.

And show them, Severus did. Everyone was frowning by the time they got out of the Pensieve. Harry was left pensive. That face certainly belonged to him. While he was sure it wasn't him, he was still apprehensive. The bastard could sully his name by doing vile deeds using his face. Thankfully, Severus told them the bastard couldn't go out of his hideout for the time being.

"I think the public needs to be warned," Dumbledore intoned.

"And risk them thinking I am playing games with them?" Harry snorted. "Can't just say, 'Guys, there is someone out there, looking like me, but not me, doing evil deeds. Be careful!' can I?"

"That… is true," Dumbledore winced.

"I think it's time for the cleanup," Harry sighed. "Let's rid the Ministry of traitorous bastards and formally establish an army to counter Voldemort. You should bridge this with the Minister, Albus. You already have your merry band of vigilante, after all." He glanced at Lily. "For the time being, I am going to ensure the safety of my family first."

"I thought you were averse to making an army," Dumbledore pointed out.

"I prefer working alone. Leading people is not my style. I manipulate the masses to do my bidding." If Dumbledore was concerned by what Harry said, he didn't show it. "However, no matter how strong a man is, he cannot be everywhere at once. I need capable hands to ensure my family's safety when I am not beside them, though I hope the day never comes."

Harry pursed his lips, "Plus, we need to prepare for your absence. I should be able to fill the void you leave behind, but it won't change the fact we have lost a capable wand."

Dumbledore nodded in silence. Although the meaning behind the prophecy still bothered Harry, he put it aside and focused on their next step to face the Dark Lord and his God. They brainstormed until Lily and Narcissa finished with their patient. Harry and his lady companions left for Leaky Cauldron immediately afterwards.